Apparatus for loading rounds from magazines bundled on a multi-magazine manifold

ABSTRACT

An apparatus that facilitates repeatedly aligning and loading a magazine into a magazine-well of a firearm, where the firearm is a barreled weapon, including replicas, novelty firearms, mock firearms, gaming firearms such as paint ball guns, computerized guns, toys guns, pressurized gas propelled guns, and virtual guns that are digital representation. The apparatus includes multi-magazine manifold which can hold a plurality of magazines (clips), where the multi-magazine manifold is mounted to one or more vertical slides that automatically align a magazine with the magazine well. Ejection and reloading is faster and easier, and can be done without visually disengaging from a target because alignment is substantially established by the apparatus. The apparatus is rugged and simple to use, and can be fitted to wide variety of firearms.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to apparatus for loading magazine fedfirearms with ammunition, and more particularly to an apparatus thatfacilitates loading rounds from a magazine from a plurality of magazinesbundled by a multi-magazine manifold, where in the invented apparatusfacilitates easier change from one magazine to a next magazine withouttaking eyesight off of a target.

Background

Magazines for firearms having a magazine well, as exemplified by theAR-15, vary in size depending on the application. In general military ARrifles typically would hold from about 30 rounds of ammunition up toabout to about 100 rounds, depending on the caliber. Normally, therounds are held in a single removable magazine that is secured in themagazine-well of the receiver. A magazine above about 60 rounds becomesvery long and weighty, and the magazine is difficult to be effectivelymanned by most personnel. If the caliber is 45 or higher, the count canbe lower, and the ammunition is instead often fed on a belt ormechanically automated. Civilian AR rifles tend to be limited to smallermagazines, typically holding from 5 to 30 rounds. Legislation inmultiple states limits the round count to 10 rounds per magazine.

In the current specification, the term “magazine” is used throughout thespecification to be inclusive of the term “clip” and other terms forprepackaged ammunition for firearms. The term “firearm” is usedthroughout the specification to be inclusive of a barreled weapon,including replicas, novelty firearms, mock firearms, gaming firearmssuch as paint ball guns, computerized guns, toys guns, pressurized gaspropelled guns, and virtual guns that are digital representations.

A problem with a low round count and an automatic firearm, asexemplified by an AR-15, AR-16, Uzi and AK-47, is that with a shortburst of fire the entire magazine can be emptied, and as the firearmfires the recoil tends to lift the barrel, especially if the magazinehas a small round count. The recoil must be physically countered by theshooter, and can be actually harder to control than a firearm loadedwith a larger heavier magazine, because the weight of the magazine helpsto offset the recoil. To be armed, the shooter has to replace an emptiedmagazine with another magazine that contains rounds of ammunition, andthe shooter's capability of aligning the magazine with the magazine-wellis more difficult as the shooter becomes tired. The magazine-well isapproximately rectangular, with a closed front side, a closed back side,an open bottom side and a top side that feeds to the firearm's chamber.The current prior art teaches that magazines can be coupled into groups,not unlike packaging, where the magazines are stacked and sometimesspaced. The prior art is silent on how coupled magazines can be utilizedwith an apparatus that facilitates their usage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invented apparatus makes it much easier to align and chamber amagazine in the magazine-well, so that changing magazines can beperformed without visually disengaging from a target, wherein themagazine is one of a plurality of magazines bundled on a multi-magazinemanifold, wherein the multi-magazine manifold can rotate and or can beshifted. An aspect of the invention is that the apparatus includes anadapter that is mounted onto a handguard, where the mount can bedirectly mounted to the handguard, or fitted onto a handguard rail thatis mounted to the handguard. Examples of handguard rails includePicatinny and Weaver rails.

The adapter is made of a durable material, as exemplified as anengineering plastic, a durable plastic, a suitable metal or metal alloyas exemplified by aluminum and steel. The adapter is securely affixed tothe handguard rail, nominally to a lower portion of the receiver andforward of the magazine-well. In one variation the adapter includes abeam and fastening elements, as exemplified by one or more locking boltswith hardened steel hex head nuts. The adapter provides a solid platformthat won't slip even under heavy recoil.

Another aspect of the invention is that nominally the multi-magazinemanifold is a symmetrical device that has a plurality of mounting faceson a side of one or more polygons, wherein a base of a magazine can besecured to a mounting face on the side of the polygon and the base ofanother magazine can be secured to an adjacent side or an opposing side,the exact configuration being dependent on the size, shape and number ofthe polygons.

Another aspect of the invention is that the apparatus includes one ormore slide rails in connection with the adapter, where at least oneslide rail is a vertical slide rail, and the vertical slide rail has aslidable element with a strut assembly that extends rearward toward themagazine well and provides a supporting connection to the multi-magazinemanifold. A position of the strut assembly is determinative as to whenthe multi-magazine manifold, loaded with magazines, can be changed. Whenthe position of the strut assembly is in a magazine is loaded into themagazine well of the firearm, then the multi-magazine manifold isstationary until released, causing the magazine to be ejected. When theposition of the strut assembly is out, the multi-magazine manifold canbe rotated and or shifted to a next stopping point where a next magazineis aligned beneath the magazine well. Nominally, the orientation of afirearm being fired is upright, and when a magazine is ejected gravityhelps move the magazine, the manifold and other movable elements of theinvention downward.

The strut assembly provides spatial orientation for a magazine to bewithdrawn or inserted in the magazine-well, wherein the strut assembly,mounted on a slidable element moves downward when a loaded magazine isejected from the magazine-well. The strut assembly is nominally raisedto insert a next magazine in the magazine-well.

While in the out position the multi-magazine manifold can be rotatedand/or shifted to a predetermined stop, where the next magazine isstopped in spatial alignment with the magazine-well, where theammunition of the next magazine is properly oriented to be chamberedwhen the next magazine is loaded into the magazine-well.

Another aspect of the invention is that rotation is either in a plane ofa side view of the firearm, or rotation is into the page of a side viewof the firearm, or rotation is not required. The orientation of therotation is largely dependent on the configuration the multi-magazinemanifold.

Another further aspect of the apparatus is that it can include ahorizontal slide rail, wherein the horizontal slide rail is mounted atright angles to the adapter. The horizontal slide rail includes ahorizontal slidable element having a rigidly attached vertical sliderail assembly, where the vertical slide rail assembly can include piggybacked vertical rails wherein a second vertical slide rail is coupled toa first vertical slide rail with one or more slidable elements. Movementof the horizontal slidable element and the affixed vertical slide railassembly is in the z plane, which is into or out-of the page of the sideview of the apparatus mounted on a firearm.

Nominally, the horizontal slide rail has two or more z-plane stoppingpoints for shifting the horizontal slidable element. The z-planestopping points are selected so that at least one of the magazines whichis affixed to the multi-magazine manifold is spatially aligned between aright side and a left side of magazine-well. A length of one or morestrut elements of the strut assembly is selected so it that extendsrearward from the vertical slide rails where the next magazine to beloaded is spatially aligned front-to-back with the magazine-well.Loading does not require that a user visually disengage from a target,as alignment is automatic.

Another aspect of the invention is that the apparatus can include aslidable grip assembly that is attached to the adapter forward of the atleast one vertical slide rail. A strong rod, one that can supportrecoil, extends downward. A hand grip having an annular slidableelement, enabling the hand grip to slide over the strong rod. The handgrip is attached to a brace that is an L shaped bar having a horizontalsection and a vertical section, wherein the horizontal section of the Lshaped bar provides support for the hand grip and the vertical sectionprovides support for at least one vertical slide element. The horizontalsection of the L shaped bar has a foreword opening through which passesthe strong rod, extending rearward, wherein the vertical sectionoverlaps at least one vertical slide rail.

In one variation, when the magazine release button on the firearm ispressed, the magazine is ejected, therein allowing the hand grip to dropto a lowered position. Similarly, the other vertical slidable componentsand the multi-magazine manifold all move downward when the magazine isejected from the magazine well.

Another aspect of the apparatus is that it can include an automaticrotation mechanism to advance the multi-magazine manifold to the nextmagazine. The automatic rotation mechanism utilizes energy released whenan empty magazine is ejected to rotate the multi-magazine manifold tothe next magazine.

The apparatus can include a quick connect mechanism for attaching themulti-magazine manifold to the strut assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing invention will become readily apparent by referring to thefollowing detailed description and the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1a -FIG. 1d and FIG. 2a -FIG. 2d are a series of conceptual sideviews of a firearm, which in the illustration is an AR rifle, that isfitted with the invented apparatus, where the apparatus is mounted tothe firearm's handguard rail, forward of the firearm's magazine-well,therein providing a facile apparatus for loading rounds from magazinesbundled on a rotatable multi-magazine manifold, a shiftablesemi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold or a shiftable multi-magazinemanifold, wherein the difference between a semi-rotatable manifold androtatable manifold, as shown in the drawings, is that the rotatablemanifold can rotate 360 degrees through a plane that is orthogonal tothe page of the side-view of the firearm, while the semi-rotatablemanifold can be flipped through 180 degrees co-planar to the page.Manifolds that are shiftable can be moved in and out-of planes that areco-planar with the page (not shown). In the concept drawings themulti-magazine manifolds have only two magazines to simplify the figure;

FIG. 1a illustrates the apparatus with a first vertical slide railprojecting downward from an adapter mounted to the handguard rail, afirst slidable element with a strut assembly extending from the firstslidable element to a semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold, wherein amagazine designated “0”, which is attached to a face of themulti-magazine manifold, is inserted in the magazine-well and a magazinedesignated “X” is on the opposing face of the multi-magazine manifold;

FIG. 1b illustrates the apparatus wherein the “0” magazine has beenejected from the magazine-well, and the “0” magazine has dropped adistance sufficient to clear a rim of the magazine-well, the movement ofthe “0” magazine has caused the slidable element to slide to a verticalslide stop, which prevents further drop of the “0” magazine;

FIG. 1c illustrates the apparatus wherein the multi-magazine manifold isrotating in a plane of a side view of the firearm;

FIG. 1d illustrates the apparatus wherein the semi-rotatablemulti-magazine manifold has been flipped, aligning the “X” magazine withthe magazine-well and, and the “X” magazine has been pushed upward intothe magazine-well, wherein the rounds can be chambered and the slidableelement has been returned to the raised position on the vertical sliderail;

FIGS. 2a-2d are mechanistically similar to FIG. 1a-1d except thatrotation of the rotatable multi-magazine manifold is into the page of aside view of the firearm;

FIG. 3 is an elevated perspective view of the apparatus mounted on afirearm having a handguard fitted with a Picatinny—Weaver-style rail,where the rotatable multi-magazine manifold is a polygonal frustrumhaving a plurality of planar sides that are tapered, where each taperedside provides a mounting face that can receive a standard issue magazinewhich nominally has an angled base and an atypical magazine that has anon-angled base;

FIG. 4 is an elevated perspective view of the apparatus mounted on thefirearm shown in FIG. 3, wherein a magazine that was previously loadedin the magazine-well has been ejected, and the rotatable multi-magazinemanifold is rotating to the next magazine;

FIG. 5 is an elevated perspective view of the apparatus mounted on afirearm having multiple Picatinny—Weaver-style rails, wherein theapparatus includes a slidable grip assembly that is mounted to theadapter forward of the vertical slide rail, and the apparatus furtherincludes an automatic rotation mechanism which angularly advances therotatable multi-magazine manifold to the next magazine;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged elevated perspective view of the apparatus shownin FIG. 5 sans the firearm, wherein the apparatus is in the raisedposition;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged elevated perspective view of the apparatus shownin FIG. 5 where the slidable grip assembly has a brace that is an Lshaped bar with a horizontal section and a vertical section thatoverlaps a second vertical slide element that is piggy-backed on a firstvertical slide rail, where the second vertical slide rail functions asan extension of the first vertical slide rail, wherein the verticalsection of the L shaped bar is connected to a second slidable element,where the second slidable element has an automatic rotation mechanismconnected to the strut assembly, and when a magazine is ejected theautomatic rotation mechanism causes the rotatable multi-magazinemanifold to rotate to an alignment position for loading the nextmagazine;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6, where therotatable multi-magazine manifold is raised and, as shown, an uppermagazine would be in the magazine-well;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6, where therotatable multi-magazine manifold is lowered;

FIG. 10 is a serial view illustrating the action of an automaticrotation mechanism that has a geared cocking round lever on a slide anda spring loaded latch to rotate an axial connection on the strutassembly, where rotation can only occur in one direction, as theillustrated stepped latch induces rotation clockwise, and preventscounter-clockwise rotation;

FIG. 10a is an exploded view of the spring loaded latch, where thespring is a coil that is centered on a pivot pin, a hook on the springloops around a peg projecting from the second vertical slide rail, and apiercing pin of the spring projects through the latch through a pinopening through the latch, wherein out-board pivoting of the latch windsthe coil spring;

FIG. 11 is an elevated partially exploded view of the apparatus having aslidable grip assembly, wherein a standard 10 round magazine having anangled base is being loaded onto a mounting face of the rotatablemulti-magazine manifold which is pentagonal polygonal frustum in shape,and the rotatable multi-magazine manifold is being fitted to the strutassembly of the apparatus, wherein the apparatus has an automaticrotation mechanism mounted on the second slidable element that slides onthe second vertical slide rail, wherein when the magazine is ejectedfrom a magazine well the first vertical slidable element starts movingtoward a lowered position before the second vertical slidable elementcausing a delayed action of the automatic rotation mechanism, as shownin FIG. 10, in part because the geared cocking round lever on the secondvertical slidable element is above the latch on the second verticalslide rail, and additionally the second vertical slidable element can bepartially restrained by an indent until the first vertical slidableelement is stopped at its lowest position;

FIG. 11a is an elevated partially exploded cutaway view of a quickconnect rotatable multi-magazine;

FIG. 12a is an elevated perspective view of a rotatable multi-magazinemanifold that is a triangular polygonal frustum with three mountingfaces;

FIG. 12b is an elevated perspective view of a rotatable multi-magazinemanifold that is a tetragonal polygonal frustum with four mountingfaces;

FIG. 12c is an elevated perspective view of a rotatable multi-magazinemanifold that is a pentagonal polygonal frustum with five mountingfaces;

FIG. 12d is an elevated perspective view of a rotatable multi-magazinemanifold that is a hexagonal polygonal frustum with six mounting faces;

FIG. 13 is an elevated perspective view of the apparatus mounted on afirearm having a handguard rail, where the apparatus has asemi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold with a set of two or more blockpolygons, wherein each block polygon can be fitted with a pair ofopposing magazines, wherein the illustrated semi-rotatablemulti-magazine manifold can be shifted and the manifold has a set ofthree block polygons with a common axis and three pairs of opposingmagazines, wherein the next magazine having ammunition is loaded into anempty magazine-well ejection by either flipping the semi-rotatablemanifold to the opposing magazine or by shifting the vertical railsaffixed to a first horizontal slidable element, therein moving themanifold inward or outward to an adjacent magazine, and then shoving thealigned magazine into the magazine-well;

FIG. 14 is an elevated perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG.13, wherein one of the two center magazines has been ejected and theapparatus is in the lowered position;

FIG. 15 is an elevated perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG.13, illustrating that in the lowered position the semi-rotatablemulti-magazine manifold can be rotated 180 degrees, so that the threemagazines on a top-side are rotated to a bottom-side, where the newtop-side magazine can be chambered into the magazine-well by shiftingthe horizontal slidable element on the horizontal slide rail to either acenter position or either of the two outer positions, and raising theselected magazine into the magazine-well;

FIG. 16a is an elevated perspective view of the apparatus sans thefirearm shown in FIG. 13, wherein the semi-rotatable multi-magazineshiftable manifold is in the raised position;

FIG. 16b is an elevated perspective view of the apparatus in FIG. 14sans the firearm shown, wherein the semi-rotatable multi-magazinemanifold is centered and in the lowered position;

FIG. 16c is an elevated perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG.15 sans the firearm, wherein the semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifoldis lowered and partial rotated so that the new top-side magazines areupward;

FIG. 17 is an elevated perspective view illustrating how a standardmagazine is attached to a mounting face of a semi-rotatablemulti-magazine manifold;

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of an apparatus with a quick connectsemi-rotatable strut assembly and a quick connect semi-rotatablemulti-magazine manifold that has a set of three block polygons with atotal of six mounting faces, wherein each mounting face can be fittedwith a magazine, and the polygons share a spring loaded quick connectaxle, separated by spacers and linked by offset connecting rods;

FIG. 18a is a series of views illustrating how the spring loaded quickconnect axle is removed from the semi-rotatable forked strut assembly,where the axle has a pair of slotted sections that can pass through apair of bearing gaps on the strut assembly only when the slottedsections are springedly pressed into alignment with the bearing gaps,wherein, as shown in the left most drawing, an end of the axle has aspring seated in a hole in the polygon (as shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 18b) that pushes the axle to the left (when the firearm is in theupright-shooting position) where the slotted sections are not alignedwith the bearing gaps, in the second view the spring is compressed bydepressing a button-like undercut end portion of the axle, forcing theaxle to the right, therein aligning the slotted sections with thebearing gaps, in the third view the axle is pulled through the bearinggaps, and in the fourth view the axle has cleared the pair of bearinggaps;

FIG. 18b is an overhead view of the spring loaded quick connect axle(without the polygons) and the strut assembly apparatus, in which isillustrate that the axle is keyed with slots, and that under pressure itcan aligned with the bearing gaps for quick release or quick connect;

FIG. 19 is an elevated perspective view of the illustrated embodimentshown in FIG. 16b without any magazines seated on the multi-magazinemanifold;

FIG. 20 is a diagonal cross-section perspective view of thesemi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold shown in FIG. 18, wherein theillustrated assembled manifold is illustrated without the axle tohighlight the differences in the block polygons;

FIG. 21a is a block polygonal semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifoldthat has N blocks, where N is 2, and it would be supported by a strutassembly having N−1 struts, where N−1 struts is one.

FIG. 21b is a block polygonal semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifoldthat has N blocks, where N is 3, and it would be supported by a strutassembly having N−1 struts, where N−1 struts is two.

FIG. 21c is a block polygonal semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifoldthat has N blocks, where N is 4, and it would be supported by a strutassembly having N−1 struts, where N−1 struts is three.

FIG. 21d is a block polygonal semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifoldthat has N blocks, where N is 5, and it would be supported by a strutassembly having N−1 struts, where N−1 struts is four.

FIG. 22 is an cutaway elevated perspective side view of the apparatusillustrated in FIG. 19, wherein the apparatus has a horizontal sliderail with a plurality of detent elements positioned at two or moredesired stopping points along the horizontal slide rail (only one isshown), wherein a horizontal slidable element has a recessed depressionthat faces the rearward side of the horizontal slide rail, and when thedetent, which is illustrated as a spring loaded intersecting elementthat is press fitted on rearward side of the horizontal slide rail, willmove into the recessed depression, therein stopping the horizontalslidable element at a desired stopping point;

FIG. 23 is an elevated perspective view of an apparatus fitted on thefirearm, wherein the apparatus has a z-plane horizontal slide rail, ahorizontal slidable element that can be moved laterally from theillustrated center position, on which is mounted a first vertical sliderail having a first vertical slidable element and the first verticalslide has a piggy-backed second vertical slide rail with a secondvertical slidable element on which is mounted a non-rotating strutassembly that supports a clamping multi-magazine manifold with a stackof magazines, wherein a center magazine of a laterally offset stack isshown loaded in the magazine-well;

FIG. 24 is an elevated perspective view of the apparatus illustrated inFIG. 23, wherein the apparatus has a quick release slide lock (QRSL)that enables attaching and detaching a modified clamping multi-magazinemanifold for holding a stack of magazines;

FIG. 25 is an elevated perspective view of the apparatus illustrated inFIG. 24, wherein the modified clamping multi-magazine manifold isdisconnected from the strut assembly fitted with the quick release slidelock (QRSL);

FIG. 26a is a planar view of the quick connection-release mechanism thatis a quick release slide lock (QRSL), where the QRSL is in the lockedposition, which is the default position, wherein a forward bar elementon a modified clamping multi-magazine manifold has two or more studsthat project toward the QRSL attached to the strut assembly, where eachstud has a circular groove (see FIG. 25) that is proximate to an end ofthe stud, wherein an end of each stud is beveled, and the stud is longenough to extend through the QRSL, which has a spring loaded slidingplate that overlaps and a prong mounted base plate having a set oflarger diameter holes, wherein the spring loaded sliding plate has alower edge that includes a set of smaller diameter semi-circular andlarger diameter semi-circular edge components that intersect the studs,wherein taken together the circular edge components of the sliding plateand the set of larger diameter holes of base plate intersect thecircular groove locking the stud, and when locked a QRSL button on thespring loaded sliding plate is shifted outboard; and

FIG. 26b is a planar view of the quick release slide lock (QRSL), wherethe QRSL is in the unlocked—release position, which is produced when theQRSL button is pressed causing the spring loaded sliding plate to moveinboard, wherein each of the studs can be disengaged, passing past theset of larger diameter circular edge components, therein enabling thestuds on the modified clamping multi-magazine manifold to be removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is an apparatus that facilitates repeatedly aligning andloading a magazine into a magazine-well of a firearm, without the needfor to visually disengage from a target. The apparatus includes amulti-magazine manifold which can hold a plurality of magazines, wherethe multi-magazine manifold is mounted to one or more vertical slidesthat with minimal assistance align a magazine with the magazine well.Ejection and reloading is faster and easier, as alignment issubstantially built into the apparatus. The apparatus is rugged andsimple to use, and can be fitted to a wide range of firearms.

The apparatus is conceptually illustrated in FIG. 1a -FIG. 1d and FIG.2a -FIG. 2d , which are a series of side views of a firearm 100 fittedwith the apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 is forward of the firearm'smagazine-well 120 and mounted to the handguard rail 110. The firearm hasa magazine ejection device 130 that releases magazines, causing them tobe ejected from magazine-well. The apparatus provides a facile mechanismfor repeatedly loading rounds from magazines 80,80′ bundled on arotatable multi-magazine manifold 60 or on a semi-rotatablemulti-magazine manifold 60′, and also a non-rotatable clampedmulti-magazine manifold (not shown conceptually).

In the apparatus FIG. 1a -FIG. 1d the apparatus 10 has a semi-rotatablemulti-magazine manifold 60′. The first vertical slide rail 30 extendsdownward from the adapter 20. The first vertical slide rail 30 ismounted to the handguard utilizing a handguard rail 110. The firstvertical slide rail 30 has a first slidable element 40 with a strutassembly 50 extending from the first slidable element 40 to thesemi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold 60′, wherein the magazine 80′,designated “0”, is attached to a side with a face 62′ of thesemi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold 60′, and the “0” magazine isinserted in the magazine-well 120 of the firearm 100 and a magazinedesignated “X” is on the opposing side with a face 63′ of thesemi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold 60′.

In FIG. 1b the “0” magazine has been ejected from the magazine-well, andthe “0” magazine 80′ has dropped a distance sufficient to clear a rim121 of the magazine-well 120, the movement of the “0” magazine hascaused the first slidable element 40 to slide to a vertical slidefull-stop element 32, which prevents further drop of the “0” magazine;

The semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold 60′, as shown in FIG. 1c ,has turned about 45 degrees of the 180 degrees necessary to flip to thenext magazine 80, which is distinguished by the “X”. The semi-rotatablemulti-magazine manifold 60′ has been flipped, as shown in FIG. 1d ,therein aligning the “X” magazine 80 with the magazine-well 120 and, andthe “X” magazine 80 has been pushed upward into the magazine-well 120,wherein the rounds can be chambered and the first vertical slidableelement 40, the strut assembly 50 and the semi-rotatable multi-magazinemanifold 60′ are back to the raised position on the first vertical sliderail 30.

The apparatus 10 with the rotatable multi-magazine manifold is shown inFIGS. 2a-2d . The action is mechanistically similar to FIG. 1a-1d exceptthat rotation of the rotatable multi-magazine manifold 60 is into thepage of a side view of the firearm 100. The mounting faces are numbered62 and 63, dropping the apostrophe, indicating that the manifold isrotatable.

The rotatable multi-magazine manifold is a polygon having an axialcenter and having perimeter walls with magazine mounting faces, whereina magazine mounting face can receive and hold a magazine utilizing abottom end portion of the magazine, wherein each of the mounting facescan be fitted with one magazine.

In most cases it is anticipated that the apparatus will be used to alignand load more than one magazine, and FIG. 3 illustrates an embodimentwhere the rotatable multi-magazine manifold 60 has five magazines. Theillustrated rotatable multi-magazine manifold 60 is a pentagonal frustumpolygon (a.k.a a polygonal frustum). Portions of the mounting faces62,63,64 are visible in this perspective view. The two faces 65,66 notshown in FIG. 3 are shown in FIG. 11. The magazine-well 120 of thefirearm 100 currently is filled with a magazine.

FIGS. 12a, 12b 12c and 12d illustrate several other, but not all,possible embodiments of rotatable multi-magazine manifolds that aresimilar suitable polygons. The polygons have an axial center and aplurality of perimeter walls, wherein the perimeter walls have externalmounting faces. An external mounting face can receive and hold amagazine by a base portion of the magazine in potential alignment withthe magazine-well, and when the manifold is filled the magazines are inradial alignment with the axial center.

Standard magazines nominally have an angled base to accommodate for theshape of the ammunition, and the illustrated polygonal frustums aresimilarly tapered to accommodate for the angle of the base of themagazine. For magazines having a substantially non-angled base, thepolygon can be modified or selected to mount magazines with non-angledbases (not shown). Each rearward edge 61 r of the frustum must have alength that is at least as long as a thickness 82 t of a magazine, andeach forward edge 61 f frustum must be long enough that the tapermatches the angled base 82 a of the magazine, and also long enough toaccommodate a width 82 w of the magazine (see FIG. 11).

Each of the frustums illustrated in FIGS. 12a, 12b 12c and 12d issymmetrical, so that all faces on a given frustum are the same. Thedimensions of the base and shape of a standard issue magazine was usedto determine the size and shape of the manifold. The illustratedfrustums are uniquely suitable for providing a multi-faced manifold. Thepractical range for a rotating manifold is up to six sides, as thefrustum becomes overly large and once installed with loaded magazines,would be overly weighty above this for typical firearms.

Returning to FIG. 3, the adapter 20 includes a beam 22 with a set offastening elements 24. The adapter provides an ultra-solid platform thatwon't slip even under heavy recoil, wherein the adapter is mounted tothe handguard rail 110 forward of the magazine-well 120. The handguardrail is exemplified by a Picatinny and Weaver-style rails. The magazineejection device 130 is nominally just rear of the magazine-well as shownin the illustrated embodiment. The first vertical slide rail 30 is arigid structural member, wherein an upper end of the first verticalslide rail is mounted on the adapter 20 perpendicular to the beam 22.The lower opposing end is terminated with a full-stop element 32. Thevertical slide rail functions as a guiding track to which a carriage canbe secured. The first vertical slidable element 40 is supported andguided by the first vertical slide rail 30, wherein the first verticalslidable element 40 is gripping the first vertical slide rail 30 andfunctions as the carriage having a low resistance to moving along thefirst vertical slide rail 30 even when the first vertical slidableelement is under stress, wherein the first vertical slidable element hasa mountable surface that faces rearward toward the magazine-well 120.

The rotatable multi-magazine manifold 60 shown in FIG. 3 is asymmetrical polygonal frustum with an axial center 68 (see FIG. 11) andhas five perimeter walls with magazine mounting faces 62,63,64,65,66. Asshown in FIG. 11 the magazine mounting face can receive and hold amagazine utilizing a bottom end portion 82 of the magazine 80, whereineach of the mounting faces can be fitted with one magazine.

The rotatable strut assembly 50 has a strut 52, a positioning plate 51with a plurality of set points 54 as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. In FIG.3 a detent 55 can be seen that has a slightly protruding spring loadedball (see FIG. 11a ). The ball is aligned and partially seated in anopposing recess. In FIG. 4 the detent 55 is not aligned with any of therecesses 54 as the rotatable multi-magazine manifold is being rotated tothe next magazine.

The strut 52 has a length selected to align a front exterior magazineside inside of an interior front magazine-well wall, and the set pointfor each of the magazine mounting faces is selected so that bothmagazine exterior side walls are aligned to fit inside themagazine-well. When the magazine ejection device 130 is actuated, themagazine in the well 120 is ejected causing the manifold 60, therotatable strut assembly 50 and the first vertical slidable element 40all to drop to their lowest position. The multi-magazine manifold can beturned to a next set point for the next magazine, and the next magazineis now positioned beneath and in-line with an empty magazine-well,wherein the next magazine can be shoved into the empty well. FIG. 5illustrates the position of the next magazine just prior to being shovedinto the magazine-well 120. Raising the magazine raises the manifold 60,the rotatable strut assembly 50 and the first vertical slidable element40 to their upper operational position.

The apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 5 also illustrates a slidable gripassembly 70 that is mounted to the adapter 20 forward of the firstvertical slide rail 30. The slidable grip assembly 70 includes a strongrod 72 mounted to the adapter 20. The beam 22 of the adapter 20 isextended to accommodate the slidable grip assembly 70, and the adapterhas additional fastening elements 24 to attach the slidable gripassembly 70 to the handguard rail 110. The strong rod 72, which cansupport recoil, extends downward from the adapter 20. The slidable gripassembly 70 includes a hand grip 71 having an annular element 75 (shownin ghost as dashed lines), wherein the hand grip can slide over thestrong rod 72. The annular element 75 is a core grip slidable element,for example a nylon bearing or a tubular element or ball bearings. Thereis a brace, which is an L shaped bar 73 having a horizontal section 73 hand a vertical section 73 v, wherein the horizontal section 73 h of theL shaped bar provides support for the hand grip and the vertical section73 v provides support for at least one vertical slide rail. Thehorizontal section 73 h of the L shaped bar has a forward opening 73 othrough which passes the strong rod 72 and rearward opening 74 that canaccommodate the first vertical slide rail 30, the first verticalslidable element 40, and the second vertical slide rail 230 as shown inFIG. 7.

The L shaped bar 73 extends rearward overlapping the second verticalslide rail 230 and is attached to the second vertical slidable element240, therein indirectly providing support for the second vertical sliderail 230. FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 illustrate the overlap of the verticalsection 73 v of the second vertical rail 230.

The second vertical slide rail 230, which is a rigid structural member,is mounted on the first vertical slidable element 40, and so whenextended it only partially overlaps the first vertical slide rail 30.The second vertical slide rail 230 functions as a retractable extensionof the first vertical slide rail 30. The vertical section 73 v supportsthe second vertical slide rail 230 even when it is fully extended. Thefirst and second vertical slide rail can be terminated with a secondfull-stop element (not shown) to ensure that the first and secondvertical slidable elements remain on their corresponding vertical sliderails.

In FIG. 7 the illustrated apparatus 10, which has a second verticalslide rail 230, also has an adjustable resistance element 236 thatprevents the second vertical slidable element 240 from moving as fast asthe first vertical slidable element 40. This is particularly importantwhen the apparatus 10 also has an automatic rotation mechanism 90 thatadvances the rotatable multi-magazine manifold 60 to the next magazine,as rotation should only commence after an ejected magazine has clearedthe rim 121 of the magazine-well 120 as shown in FIG. 5. The automaticrotation mechanism 90, is only barely visible in FIG. 7 and FIG. 6,except for a latch 94 and a partial view of a geared cocking round lever92. The side view in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 provide more detail. Theautomatic rotation mechanism is described in greater detail below.

Recapping, the apparatus in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 had only a single verticalslide rail 30. In FIG. 5, the addition of the grip assembly expanded thenumber of vertical slide rails to include a second vertical slide rail230, where the second vertical slide rail is attached to the firstvertical slide rail via first vertical slidable element 40. When therewas one vertical slide rail (FIG. 3 and FIG. 4) the strut assembly 50was mounted on the first vertical slidable element 40. When there is asecond vertical slide rail 230, the strut assembly 50 is mounted on asecond vertical slidable element 240. In FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, andFIG. 9 illustrate more detail about the apparatus, as the apparatus isnot mounted, and further expand on the elements of the automaticrotation mechanism.

The apparatus is illustrated in FIG. 8 in the raised ready position, andin FIG. 9 in the lowered, rotatable position. In the raised position theupright magazine 80 normally is in the magazine-well. In the illustratedembodiment the apparatus 10 includes a slidable grip assembly 70 mountedto the adapter 20 forward of the first vertical slide rail 30. A strongrod 72 extends vertically downward from the adapter 20. The fasteningelements 24 attach the beam 22 of the adapter 20 to a handguard rail 110(FIG. 5). Three bolts and nuts are shown for securing the adapter 20 tothe to the handguard rail. The slidable grip assembly 70 and the firstvertical rail 30 are structurally secured to an underside of the beam22. The L shaped bar 73 is a strength element and is verticallyslidable. The brace, an L shaped bar has a horizontal section 73 h and avertical section 73 v, wherein the horizontal section 73 h of the Lshaped bar provides support for the hand grip and the vertical section73 v provides support for at least one vertical slide rail. The annularelement 75 provides the grip with a hollow core enabling both the gripand the horizontal section 73 h it is attached to move vertically. Asshown in FIG. 7, the forward opening 73 o can slide over the strong rod72 and the rearward opening 74 that can accommodate the first verticalslide rail 30 and the first vertical slidable element 40.

The second vertical slide rail 230 is fastened to a rearward facingmounting plate of the first vertical slidable element 40. As previouslynoted, the horizontal section 73 h of the L shaped bar of grip assembly70 has a forward opening 73 o through which passes the strong rod 72 andrearward opening 74 that can accommodate the first vertical slide rail30 and the first vertical slidable element 40 as shown in FIG. 7. In thefully raised position (see FIG. 6), the first vertical slidable element40 is located substantially under the horizontal section 73 h. Comparethe relative positions of the first vertical slidable element 40 in FIG.6 and FIG. 7 with respect to the horizontal section 73 h. In FIG. 7 thefirst vertical slidable element 40 protrudes upward through the opening74.

The strut assembly 50 includes the automatic rotation mechanism 90, asshown in FIG. 10. The automatic rotation mechanism advances therotatable multi-magazine manifold 60 to the next magazine, when themagazine in the magazine-well is ejected. The automatic rotationmechanism 90 harvests energy released when the magazine is ejected toincrement the rotation. The amount of rotation is in a number of degreesas a fraction of a circle, where the number is 360 degrees divided bythe number of magazine mounting faces. In the case of a pentagon, anincrement of rotation is seventy two degrees (360/5=72). The automaticrotation mechanism harvests most of the energy released when themagazine is ejected to rotate to the next magazine, and as will be seensome this energy is recaptured when the next magazine is loaded into themagazine-well 120 of the firearm 100.

A side view of the apparatus 10 is shown in FIG. 8, where the pentagonalmulti-magazine manifold is raised and, as shown, an upper magazine wouldbe in the magazine-well. The adapter 20 has a beam 22 and additionalfastening elements 24. The grip assembly 70 has a grip 71, which slidesover the rod 72. Dashed lines suggest the grip's core annular element75. Dashed lines also are used to suggest openings 730 and 74.

The second slidable element 240 has rearward mounting plate 244 to whichis mounted the strut assembly 50. The strut has an axial plate 51 formounting the strut to the rotatable multi-magazine manifold 60. Elementsof the automatic rotation mechanism (see FIG. 10) are only partiallyvisible. They include a geared cocking round lever 92 on the strut 50and a latch 94 mounted on the second vertical slide rail 230. A coveringplate 245 protects the many of the elements of the automatic rotationmechanism.

In FIG. 9 the apparatus has been lowered. The first vertical rail 30 isextended with a second vertical rail 230. The second vertical slide rail230 is capped with an upper stop 237, and is mounted on the firstvertical slidable element 40. The second vertical slide rail 230functions as a retractable extension of the first vertical slide rail.The chamber end 81 of the magazine 80 feeds into the magazine-well. TheL shaped bar 73 has an opening 74 (indicated by dashed lines) thatpermit the L shaped bar 73 to move past the first vertical slide rail 30and the first vertical slidable element 40.

Rotation should not begin until the magazine has cleared the rim 121 ofthe magazine-well (see FIG. 5). The operative elements of one embodimentof the automatic rotation mechanism 90 are described in FIG. 10 and FIG.10a . It is anticipated that other mechanisms are possible, for examplethose that use one-way bearings, and in disclosing this embodiment theconcept is taught.

When a magazine is ejected from the magazine-well the first verticalslidable element drops carrying the second vertical slide rail to itsextended position. The second vertical slidable element 240 is somewhatrestrained, and it slides from its raised position, defined by an upperstop element 239 (see FIG. 10 and FIG. 10a ) for the second verticalslidable element 240, and slowed by an adjustable restraint element 236,for example an adjustable detent, giving enough time for the magazine toclear the magazine rim before activating the automatic rotationmechanism. The automatic rotation mechanism 90 is shown in FIG. 10 as aseries of views from left to right as seen from the manifold 60.

When a magazine is loaded into a magazine-well the upper stop element239 using the slidable grip assembly 70, the second vertical slidableelement is moved upward until it abuts the upper stop element 239,wherein the second vertical slide rail 230 is raised, collapsing thesecond vertical slide rail 230 on top of the first vertical slide rail30, shortening the overall length of the extendable piggybacked rails.

The second vertical slidable element 240 starts sliding down the secondvertical slide rail 230 almost immediately when the current magazine isreleased. It is slowed slightly by the adjustable restraint element 236.The second vertical slidable element 240 has a front protective plate244, that is protects the automatic rotation mechanism 90. An axial rod92 b projects rearward from the front protective plate 244, and itfunctions as a bearing for a geared cocking round lever 92 and iscoaxial with the strut 50, wherein the strut 50 can rotate on the axialrod 92 b. The geared cocking round lever 92 is mounted on the strut. Thegeared cocking round lever 92 has scalloped gears 92 a. A spring loadedlatch 94 having positively scalloped gears 94 a and an abutting straightsection 94 a′ is mounted to the second vertical slide rail 230. Thepositively scalloped gears 94 a are selected to mesh with the scallopedgears 92 a, but the gears are skewed so as to induce more tangentialforce in one direction and slippage in the opposing direction.

FIG. 10a shows detent 250 on the rail side of the second verticalslidable element 240 that is mated with adjustable resistance element236 when the magazine is chambered inside the magazine well. As shown inFIG. 10a the spring 95 of the spring loaded latch 94 has a coil 95 athat is centered on the pivot pin 97, a hook 95 b that loops around apeg 91 projecting from the second vertical slide rail 230, and apiercing pin 95 c that projects through the latch 94 through a pinopening 93. Rotation of the latch is limited by peg 91 against a startnotch 94 d and a stop notch 94 b. Prior to contact of the geared cockinground lever 92 with the spring loaded latch 94, the spring loaded latchis nearly upright, with the peg 91 seated in the start notch 94 d. Whenthe lever 92 contacts the latch 94, it initially is with an abuttingstraight end section 94 a′ of the latch as shown in the second of theseries of seven views. The meshing produces a tangential force on the ongeared cocking round lever 92, causing it to rotate clockwise. The latchresponds by swinging counterclockwise 99, exposing additional positivelyscalloped gears 94 a, which cause further clockwise rotation 98 of thelever. Rotation ceases when the stop notch 94 b rests against the peg91, as shown in the last view of the series. The swing action tensionsthe coiled spring 95. The next magazine is now aligned, ready to bemoved into the magazine-well. Loading is performed by simply raising theslidable grip assembly 70, if available, or gripping the manifold or amagazine on the manifold to move the aligned magazine into the well. Theweight of the apparatus can be used to load the next magazine by liftingthe firearm upright or even inverted, as alignment is maintained.

Raising the geared cocking round lever 92 does not mesh gears as thespring loaded latch just rides over the lever's gears 92 a, consequentlythere is no additional rotation. FIG. 11a further clarifies themechanism. Additionally as shown in FIG. 11a , when the desired rotationis achieved a detent on the second vertical slidable element 240 clicksinto place once the cocking round lever 92 has rotated the desirednumber of degrees.

In FIG. 11a , frontal face 60 f of the rotatable multi-magazine manifold60 has an alignment cog 68 a along an edge of the axial opening 68 to acentral bore 902 of the rotatable multi-magazine manifold 60. Thecentral bore 902 allows axial rod 92 b to pass into the rotatablemulti-magazine manifold's central bore 902, and fit into slots (notshown) on the axial positioning plate 51 to ensure proper positioning ofrotatable multi-magazine manifold 60 with the magazine well. Therearward face 60 r of the rotatable multi-magazine manifold has a quickrelease 900, which when compressed, retracts retaining balls 901 out ofexpansion chamber 903 of bore 904 in axial rod 92 b and allows easyremoval of the entire rotatable multi-magazine manifold. FIG. 1 la alsoshows detents 54 in a geared cocking round lever 92 that correspond withadjustable resistance element 54 on the partially cut-away secondvertical slidable element 240 so that when geared cocking round lever 92has rotated the correct incremental number of degrees, the springdecompresses to fill detent 55 and prevent further rotation clockwise orcounterclockwise so the magazine is properly aligned with the magazinewell.

The tensioned coiled spring 95 returns the latch 94 to its uprightposition as shown in the first view and second view of the series. Only,after the next magazine is ejected will rotation again move the nextincremental number of degrees. The automatic rotation mechanism 90harvests the energy released during ejection to power the automaticrotation mechanism, conserving some energy with the coiled spring 95.

FIG. 11, 11 a, and FIGS. 12a-12d have previously been discussed.

A variation of the apparatus 10 is illustrated in FIG. 13, wherein theapparatus has a semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold 60′. Thesemi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold 60′ provides rotation throughonly 180 degrees. As will become clear, the magazines are mounted on thesemi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold 60′ having a face that is angledwhen positioned on a semi-rotatable strut assembly 50′ to compensate forthe angle of the base of the magazine. The magazines are still alignedwith the magazine-well, and the manifold 60′ rotates in the plane of thepaper, as was conceptually described in FIGS. 1a-1d . The semi-rotatablemanifold makes it possible to repeatedly load and eject multiplemagazines without visually disengaging from a target.

In the illustrated semi-rotatable embodiment of the apparatus theadapter 20 is mounted directly to a handguard or as illustrated to ahandguard rail 110 of a firearm 100. As illustrated in FIG. 13 theapparatus includes an adapter 20, a mounting block 310, and a horizontalslide rail 330 that is mounted on the mounting block 310 at right anglesto the adapter. The horizontal slide rail 330 has a horizontal slidableelement 340 that can slide across a rearward side of the horizontalslide rail 330. A first vertical slide rail is rigidly attached to thehorizontal slidable element 340. The first vertical slide rail 30 has anoverlapping second vertical slide rail 230 that functions as anextension of the first vertical slide rail 30. The second vertical sliderail 230 is mounted on a first vertical slidable element 40. The secondvertical slide rail 230 has a second vertical slidable element 240. Thevertical slide rails and vertical slidable elements are jointly referredto as a vertical slide rail assembly. Movement of the horizontalslidable element 340, and the affixed vertical slide rail assembly is inthe Z-plane, which is in-to or out-of the page of the side view of theapparatus relative the firearm.

The horizontal slide rail has one or more Z-plane stopping points thatthe horizontal slidable element can be moved, where a number Z ofstopping points nominally matches the number of blocks included in asemi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold 60′. See FIGS. 21a-21d forexamples of semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold 60′ having aplurality of blocks 62′. Each Z-plane stopping point is selected so thatat least one of the magazines affixed to a block on the semi-rotatablemulti-magazine manifold is spatially aligned between a right side and aleft side of a magazine-well. In FIG. 13 there are three blocks 62 a′,62b′,62 c′, so there are three stopping points on the horizontal sliderail. The stopping points 331 a, 331 b, 331 c are not visible in FIGS.13 and 14, but they are shown in other drawings. The two outboardstopping points 331 a and 331 c are shown in FIG. 18b , and the centerstopping point 331 b is shown in FIG. 22.

The semi-rotatable strut assembly 50′ is mounted on a rearward face ofthe second vertical slidable element 240. The illustrated semi-rotatablestrut assembly 50′ has two struts a left strut 52 l′, and a right strut52 r′. The struts are parallel and have a length that is selected sothat the semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold has at least onemagazine affixed to a block that is spatially aligned front-to-back withthe magazine-well 120. In general the strut assembly 50′ has one lessstrut than there are blocks 62′. A maximum of five blocks 62′ isanticipated, due to the practicality of size and weight limits formaneuverability of the firearm, so a maximum of four struts areanticipated, however, theoretically, these numbers are not finite.

FIGS. 21a-21d illustrate semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifolds 60′having a plurality of blocks 62′, where the plurality is two to fiveblocks (62 a′ & 62 b′) up to (62 a′ & 62 b′ & 62 c′ & 62 d′ & 62 e′).All the manifolds have a pair of connecting rods 681′, 682′ and one axle64′. All the blocks of the different manifolds are separated by spacers691′. Each block has opposing mounting faces. For example FIG. 21b hassix mounting faces 621′ (see FIG. 18) and 622′, 623′ (see FIG. 18) and624′, 625′ (see FIG. 18) and 626′.

FIG. 22 provides an example of a stopping point 331 b′ on the firsthorizontal slide rail 330 is. The slidable horizontal slidable element340 has a recessed depression 341 that can receive a detent 331 b′ thatis press fitted in the horizontal slide rail 330. The slidablehorizontal slidable element 340 could alternately be fitted with thedetent, but the downside is that the slidable horizontal slidableelement 340 would not move as easily between points, and the change indrag/friction between points is smaller and therefore not as easilydetected. In the current embodiment, the horizontal slide rail is fittedwith three detents instead of one in the slidable horizontal slidableelement 340 provides a more pronounced stop, and there is less wear,therein assuring alignment of a magazine on the manifold with themagazine-well.

In FIG. 13, there is currently a magazine 80 is in the magazine-well120. The current magazine is ejected by simply actuating the firearm'smagazine ejection device 130, which is more clearly seen in FIG. 14. InFIG. 14 the current magazine has been ejected causing the magazine onthe semi-rotatable manifold, the semi-rotatable strut assembly and thevertical slide rail assembly to drop. To load the next magazine into theempty magazine-well the semi-rotatable manifold 60′ is either flipped tothe opposing magazine or the vertical slide rail assembly is shifted toa new stopping point by sliding the horizontal slidable element 340,therein moving the manifold inboard or outboard, and then shoving thealigned magazine into the magazine-well. FIG. 14 shows the apparatusimmediately following ejection.

FIG. 15 illustrates the semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold 60′ inthe process of being flipped. The magazines labelled “R”, “C”, “L” thatwere previously shown in FIG. 14 have been turned about 90 degrees. Theymust be turned a full 180 degrees, so that the three magazines that wereon the top-side and righted are rotated to a bottom-side, where they areinverted and reversed. Whether rotation is clockwise orcounter-clockwise is determined by the manifold 60′ current position, asrotation between the struts is not allowed. As show in FIG. 18 and FIG.19, the blocks 62′ making up the manifold 60′ are held together withconnecting rods 681′, 682′ on opposing sides of a center axle 64′. Theblocks are separated by spacers 691′, 692′, 693,′694′. The rods andspacers prevent rotation between the struts, and in fact they act asstopping elements. As shown in FIG. 18, the struts 52 l′,52 r′ havetop-side grooves 591′,′593′ can only receive the top-side spacers691′,693′, and the bottom-side grooves 592′,594′ can only receive thebottom-side spacers 692′,694′. So, if the manifold 60′ as shown in FIG.19 is positioned with the top-side spacers 691′,693′ in the top-sidegrooves 591′,′593′, then flipping is only possible if the rotation isclockwise. Of course, if the bottom-side spacers 692′,694′ are in thebottom-side grooves 592′,594′ then only counter-clockwise rotation ispossible.

After flipping potentially all the now top-side magazines can bechambered into the magazine-well, one will be aligned. The other nowtop-side magazines can be chambered by shifting the horizontal slidableelement on the horizontal slide rail to either a center position oreither of the two outer positions, where each position is in alignmentwith the magazine-well 120. The manifold is raised, loading the selectedmagazine into the magazine-well.

FIG. 16a illustrates the apparatus shown in FIG. 13 without the firearm.FIG. 16b illustrates the apparatus shown in FIG. 14 without the firearm,and FIG. 16c illustrates the apparatus shown in FIG. 15 without thefirearm. The most notable feature is that while the magazines and thevertical slide assembly are parallel, the blocks 62 a′,62 b′,62 c′ areangled so that the face when the standard magazine 80 is mounted it hasa vertical orientation. This is easier to see in FIG. 17. The angle ofblock 62 c′ is selected so that the face 643′ compensates for the angleof the base 82, which is often slopped. The slope angle is 82 a. This isa real advantage, as a user can use standard magazines on thesemi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold 60′, or if the base is notnot-angled, the manifold can be selected for a non-angled base.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 18 and FIG. 18a the left strut 52l′ and the right strut 52 r′ each have a bearing 53 l′,53 r′ with a gap54 l′, 54 r′, wherein the semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold 60′ hasa quick connect axle 64′ (as shown in FIG. 18 ba and FIG. 18b ) that canbe fitted within the semi-rotatable multi-magazine manifold 60′. Thequick connect axle 64′ enables the semi-rotatable multi-magazinemanifold 60′ to be positioned on the struts, with the axle 64′ mountedin the bearings 53 l′,53 r′. No disassembly of the bearings or themanifold is required.

Also in FIG. 18, all six mounting faces are numbered 621′, 622′, 623′,624′, 625′, 626′. Three of the faces are marginally visible. Eachmounting face can be fitted with a magazine, as shown in FIG. 17 andothers. There are a total of six magazines. In other variations themanifold shown in FIG. 21a could hold four magazines; in FIG. 21c couldhold eight magazines; and the manifold in FIG. 21d could hold tenmagazines. Typically, the magazines hold twenty or fewer rounds ofammunition. The magazines illustrated in FIG. 17 are a ten round clip,which is atypical, but gaining in usage. As shown in FIG. 18 and to alesser extent FIG. 20, the block polygons 62 a′, 62 b′, 62 c′ share aspring loaded quick connect axle 64′, and are equally spaced by hollowspacers 691′,692′,693′,694′ through which extend connecting rods 681′,682′ that are threaded headed pins. As previously discussed, the spacersare positioned to also function as stops, when the semi-rotatablemulti-magazine manifold 60′ is flipped.

As can be seen in FIG. 18 the axle 64′ is keyed so that when properlypositioned slots 641′ and 642′ can pass through the bearing gaps 54 r′and 54 l′ as shown in FIG. 18a and FIG. 18b . As diagrammaticallyillustrated as a sequence of views in FIG. 18a this is possible onlywhen pressure is applied to axle button 643′, compressing thecompression spring 65′, which aligns the slots 641′, 642′ with thebearings slots 53 r′ and 53 l′. As soon as pressure is released, thecompression spring expands 65′, the axle shifts, the slots and gaps areno longer aligned, and the axle 64′ is retained because the bearings seethe full diameter of the axle. To achieve this, each of the blocks 62a′, 62 b′, 62 c′ has certain features.

FIG. 20 is a diagonal cross-section of the semi-rotatable multi-magazinemanifold 60′ without the quick connect axle 64′ shown in FIG. 18. Thecenter block 62 b′ has a centroid bearing bore 63 b′. A center sectionof the axle 64′, where the center section is the sectional lengthbetween slots 641′ and 642′ (as shown in FIG. 18) is substantiallyhoused in the centroid bearing bore 63 b′. The center block 62 b′ alsohas a pair of through-block openings 633′ and 634′ for the connectingrods 681′ and 682′. The diameter of the opening 633′ is sufficientlysmall to occlude the spacers 693′, 694′. The right block 62 a has apartial centroid end-bearing bore 63 a′ with a floor 64 a′, wherein acentroid partial bore 63 a′ can receive the spring 65′ and an end of theaxle 64′. The right block 62 a′ has threaded holes 631′ and 632′ theconnecting rods 681′ and 682′ having threaded sections 671′,672′ (seeFIG. 18). A left block 62 c′ has a centroid bore 63 c′ that narrows to aconstricted bore 64 c′ that stops the axle but allows a button 643′ (seeFIG. 18) to project through and out the side of block 62 c′. The axle64′ is largely centered in the centroid bearing bore. An exception iswhen pressure is applied to the button causing the compression spring65′ to be compressed, therein shifting the shaft toward the right block62 a, aligning the slots 641′, 642′ with the bearings slots 54 r′ and 54l′. Without compression, the manifold is retained by the bearings 53l′,53 r′.

To achieve the desired slope angle is 82 a angle there are severalfactors to consider including the distance of the connecting rods fromthe axle, the proximity of the connecting rods to a block's face, thediameter of the spacers, and the location of the strut bearings. Asshown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, the slope angle is relative shallow, andthe bearings 53 l′,53 r′ are substantially proximate to a lower side ofthe struts 52 l′, 52 r′.

The horizontal slide rail 330 and the horizontal slidable element 340 isshown in more detail in FIG. 22. In the embodiment the mounting block310 is coextensive with the adapter. The horizontal slide rail 330 isfastened to the mounting block with at least two screws 15 a, 15 b. Onlyscrew 15 a is shown, as a portion of the mounting block is cutaway tosee the horizontal slide rail 330. In general, the slidable elements arenot limited to a specific type of bearing to minimize friction, asmultiple factors can enter in the determination. Encapsulated ballbearings and bushings are two types that are commonly employed. In theillustrated horizontal slidable element ball bears are shown, butbushings or self-lubricating systems can be employed.

The horizontal slide rail 330 has a pair of opposing channels, an upperchannel 333 a and a lower channel 333 b. The horizontal slidable element340 nominally has a set of race of ball bearings upper race 343 a andlower race of ball bearings 343 b. The upper race 343 a is not visiblebecause a portion of the horizontal slidable element 340 is cut away toshow the first vertical slidable rail 30. The vertical slidable rail 30is fastened to a rear side of the horizontal slidable element 340 usingscrews 345 b and 345 a. The top screw 345 a is not visible as the upperportion of the horizontal slidable element 340 is cut-away. An upperportion of the vertical slidable rail 30 has a threaded hole 36 a thatreceives the top screw 345 a in an upper portion of the horizontalslidable element (not visible). The lower portion of the verticalslidable rail 30 is obscured by the horizontal slidable element 340, andso a threaded hole 36 b is not visible.

The first and second vertical slidable rails 30,230 also have a pair ofopposing channels 33, 233. The first and second vertical slidableelements 40,240 have would similarly have their own set of race of ballbearings. The second vertical slidable element has a plurality of holes243 for fastening the semi-rotatable strut assembly 50′ (not shown).

An apparatus with a non-rotating strut assembly 150 and a non-rotatablemulti-magazine manifold 160 is illustrated in FIG. 23. There are threehigher round count magazines. Several rounds 85 are visible. A highercount magazine holds more than ten rounds, and usually twenty or morerounds. The non-rotating strut assembly 150 has a left prong 152 andright prong 154. The non-rotatable multi-magazine manifold 160 has aforward flat bar 162, a rearward flat bar 164, and spacing elements 165,166 between the magazines. The forward clamp 162 is attached to the leftprong 152 and right prong 154. The forward flat bar 162 has a pair oflateral tabs (only left tab 1621 is shown), and the rearward flat bar164 has a pair of lateral tabs, where only 1641 is visible. The width ofthe spacing elements 165, 166 matches distance between stopping points331 a,331 b,331 c (not visible in this view-see FIG. 18b and FIG. 22).As shown there is a center magazine 180 b, a left magazine 180 c, and aright magazine 180 a. The magazines form a stack 180. As previouslydisclosed the apparatus has a horizontal slide rail 330 with a firsthorizontal slidable element 340 that provides the capability to shiftthe non-rotatable multi-magazine manifold 160 to another stopping point,when the vertical assembly is lowered. The first horizontal slide rail330 is attached to the adapter 20 via the mounting block 310. The firstvertical slide rail 30 with a piggy-backed second vertical slide rail230 via a first vertical slidable element 40. The second verticalslidable element 240 has rearward facing plate to which is mounted thenon-rotating strut assembly 150. A magazine is selected by moving to astopping point. Magazine 180 b is shown loaded in the firearm'smagazine-well 120.

The apparatus as illustrated in FIG. 24 has a quick release slide lock(QRSL) 800 that enables attaching and detaching a modified non-rotatablemulti-magazine manifold 168, where components of the QRSL 800 are fittedon the non-rotating strut assembly 150 and the non-rotatablemulti-magazine manifold 160 that provide for changing manifolds. Themodified forward flat bar 162 of the non-rotatable multi-magazinemanifold is fitted with a plurality of studs 872 that project forward.Three studs are shown, and each has a beveled end and a setback circulargroove. A spring loaded sliding plate 835 forwardly overlaps a latchbase plate 825. The spring loaded sliding plate 835 (see FIG. 26b ) hasa plurality of elongate holes and each hole has a headed stem 855 thatis projecting from the latch base plate 825. The spring loaded slidingplate 835 has a plurality of semi-circular edges, and the semi-circularedges are abutting the setback circular grooves of the studs 872,therein latching the non-rotatable multi-magazine manifold 160 to thenon-rotating strut assembly 150.

In FIG. 25 the modified non-rotatable multi-magazine manifold 168 isdisconnected from the strut assembly fitted with the quick release slidelock 800. A little more detail is viewable. The beveled studs 872,mounted on the forward clamp bar 162 of the non-rotatable multi-magazinemanifold, have a relatively high aspect of bevel 873, so that they arecapable generating a lateral penetrating force, enough force to widen aniris-like opening. The circular groove 874 is substantially at theperimeter of the bevel 873. The lock 800 is in the default lockedposition, with openings 837 partially closed, a QRSL button 845 on thespring loaded sliding plate 835 shifted outboard, where it is pushedinboard to open the lock. The a set of headed stems 855 are inboard of aset of two elongate holes (see FIG. 26a ), limiting a distance that thespring loaded sliding plate 835 can move outboard, therein controlling adiameter of the partially closed openings 837.

A closer view of the quick release slide lock 800 is shown in FIG. 26a .The QRSL is in the locked position, which is the default position,wherein three beveled studs 872 are projecting through the QRSL, whereeach stud 872 has a circular groove 874 (see FIG. 25) that is proximateto the perimeter of the bevel 873, and each stud is long enough toextend through the QRSL, which has the spring loaded sliding plate 835that forwardly overlaps the latch base plate 825 which has a set oflarger diameter holes 838. The spring loaded sliding plate has a loweredge that includes a curvilinear section of a smaller diametersemi-circular segment 839 contiguous with a larger diametersemi-circular segment 837, which, when moved laterally outboard, thecurvilinear section intersects a stud 872, and more particularly thecircular groove 874 proximate to the perimeter of the bevel 873. Takentogether the curvilinear sections of the sliding plate and the largerdiameter holes 838 of the latch base plate lock the stud. The prongs154,152 are shown is ghost by the dashed lines. Fastening holes 854 arefor attaching the latch base plate 825 to the prongs 154,152.

The quick release slide lock (QRSL) is shown unlocked in FIG. 26b . Theunlocked—release position is produced when the QRSL button 845 ispressed, causing the spring loaded sliding plate to move inboard,wherein each of the studs 872 will be disengaged, therein enabling themodified non-rotating multi-magazine manifold to be removed.

Finally, any numerical parameters set forth in the specification andattached claims are approximations (for example, by using the term“about”) that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought tobe obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as anattempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to thescope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least beconstrued in light of the number of significant digits and by applyingordinary rounding.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for repeatedly aligning and loadingammunition into a magazine-well of a firearm having a magazine ejectiondevice, said apparatus comprising: an adapter comprised of a beam and aset of fastening elements, wherein the adapter provides a strongplatform that won't slip even under heavy recoil, wherein the adaptercan be mounted onto the firearm forward of the magazine-well; a firsthorizontal slide rail with a set of z-plane set-points, wherein thefirst horizontal slide rail is mounted orthogonal to the adapter and theset of z-plane set-points are positions where a magazine is horizontallyaligned with the magazine-well; a first horizontal slidable element thatis supported and guided by the first horizontal slide rail, wherein thefirst horizontal slidable element has a first horizontal slidablemountable surface that faces rearward toward the magazine-well; a firstvertical slide rail, which is a rigid structural member, wherein an endof the first vertical slide rail is mounted on the first horizontalslidable element, and an opposing end is terminated with a full-stopelement, wherein the vertical slide rail functions as a guiding track towhich a carriage can be secured; a first vertical slidable element thatis supported and guided by the first vertical slide rail, wherein thefirst vertical slidable element functions as the carriage having a lowresistance to moving along the first vertical slide rail even when thefirst vertical slidable element is under stress, wherein the firstvertical slidable element has a first vertical mountable surface thatfaces rearward toward the magazine-well; a second vertical slide rail,which is a rigid structural member, wherein an end of the secondvertical slide rail is mounted on the first vertical slidable elementwith a partial overlap of the first vertical slide rail, wherein thesecond vertical slide rail functions as a retractable extension of thefirst vertical slide rail; a second vertical slidable element that issupported and guided by the second vertical slide rail, where itsvertical position on the second vertical slide rail will change eithermoving downward when the ejection device is actuated to eject acurrently loaded magazine from the magazine-well, or moving upward whena next magazine is shoved into the magazine-well, wherein the secondvertical slidable element has low resistance to moving along the secondvertical slide rail even when the second vertical slidable element isunder stress, wherein the second vertical slidable element has a secondmountable surface that faces rearward toward the magazine-well; anon-rotating strut assembly comprised of a pair of strong horizontalprongs that are parallel and projecting rearward from the secondvertical mountable surface; a non-rotating multi-magazine clampingmanifold for clamping three higher round count magazines in a stackedand spaced configuration, wherein the manifold has a forward flat barwith an end that terminates with a right tab that extends rearward andan opposing end that terminates with a left tab that extends rearward, arear horizontal flat bar with a right rear tab that extends forward anda left rear tab that extends forward, and a left spacing clampingelement that extends from the forward flat bar to the rearwardhorizontal flat bar and a right spacing clamping element that extendsfrom the forward flat bar to the rearward flat bar; wherein thenon-rotating multi-magazine clamping manifold is attached to the pair ofstrong horizontal prongs of the non-rotating strut assembly, where acenter clamped magazine is loaded into the magazine-well when the firsthorizontal slide rail is positioned in the center of the set of z-planeset-points; wherein, when the magazine ejection device is actuated, themagazine in the magazine-well, which is attached to the magazinenon-rotatable multi-magazine manifold is ejected causing thenon-rotating multi-magazine clamping manifold, the strut assembly, thesecond vertical slidable element, the second vertical rail, and thefirst vertical slidable element all to drop to their lowest position,wherein the non-rotatable multi-magazine clamping manifold can beshifted to the next magazine by moving the first horizontal slidableelement to another z-plane set-point, and the next magazine is nowpositioned beneath and in-line with an empty magazine-well, wherein thenext magazine can be shoved into the empty well, which raises thenon-rotatable multi-magazine clamping manifold, the strut assembly, thesecond vertical slidable element, the second vertical slide rail and thefirst vertical slidable element to their upper operational position. 2.The apparatus according to claim 1 further includes a quick releaseslide lock (QRSL) for attaching and detaching a non-rotating clampingmanifold.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, where in the QRSLcomprises: at least two beveled studs mounted to the forward flat bar ofthe non-rotating multi-magazine clamping manifold, wherein each beveledstud has a diameter and an end that has a relatively high aspect amountof bevel, so that when pushed the stud generates a lateral opening forceto widen an iris-like opening, and each stud has a circular groove thatis adjacent to the perimeter of the bevel; a spring loaded sliding platethat forwardly overlaps a latch base plate, wherein the latch base platehas at least two base plate holes that are slightly larger than thediameter of the beveled studs, and the at least two base plate holes arespaced liked the at least two mounted studs, at least two fasteningholes for attaching the base plate to the ends of at least two prongs onthe non-rotating strut assembly, and at least two headed stemsprojecting from the base plate; wherein the spring loaded sliding platehas at least two elongate holes through which each elongate horizontalhole projects a headed stem that enable the spring loaded sliding platehave limited lateral movement, a lower edge of the spring loaded slidingplate has at least two sections that partially overlap the holes on thebase plate, wherein each partial overlap is a curvilinear section of asmaller diameter semi-circular segment that is contiguous with a largerdiameter semi-circular segment, effecting a partially closed openingwhen the QRSL is in a default position that is locked, where acompression spring is pushing the spring loaded sliding plate outboard,maintaining the default position as locked, where in the defaultposition the smaller diameter semi-circular segments are partiallyoccluding the base plate holes; wherein the non-rotating multi-magazineclamping manifold is connected to the QRSL mounted non-rotating strutwhen the two beveled studs have been aligned with at least two baseplate holes and pressed, causing the spring loaded sliding plate to moveinboard widening the partially closed opening as the larger diametersemi-circular segment of the lower edge moves over the beveled studsuntil each stud has penetrated each opening far enough that the beveledend of each stud is past the spring loaded sliding plate, where upon thespring loaded sliding plate shifts outboard and the smaller diametersemi-circular segment is abutting the circular groove that is adjacentto the perimeter of the bevel, wherein the non-rotating multi-magazineclamping manifold is lockedly connected to the QRSL; and wherein thenon-rotating multi-magazine clamping manifold can be removed by pushingthe spring loaded sliding plate, inboard which fully widens each of theopenings of QRSL, and pulling the mounted beveled studs out, away fromthe base plate of the QRSL.
 4. An apparatus for repeatedly aligning andloading ammunition into a firearm having a magazine-well and a magazineejection device, said apparatus comprising: an adapter comprised of abeam and a set of fastening elements, wherein the adapter provides astrong platform that won't slip even under heavy recoil, wherein theadapter can be mounted onto the firearm forward of the magazine-well; avertical slide rail, which is a rigid structural member, comprised of anend that is mounted to the adapter and an opposing end that isterminated with a full-stop element, wherein the vertical slide railfunctions as a guiding track to which a carriage can be secured; a firstvertical slidable element that is supported and guided by the firstvertical slide rail, wherein the first vertical slidable elementfunctions as the carriage having a low resistance to facilely move alongthe vertical slide rail even when the vertical slidable element is understress, wherein the first vertical slidable element has a mountablesurface that when the apparatus is mounted on the firearm, the mountablesurface of the first vertical slidable element faces rearward toward themagazine-well; a non-rotating strut assembly comprised of a pair ofstrong horizontal prongs that are parallel and projecting rearward fromthe first vertical mountable surface; a non-rotating multi-magazineclamping manifold for clamping at least two higher round count magazinesin a stacked and spaced configuration, wherein the manifold has aforward flat bar with an end that terminates with a right tab thatextends rearward and an opposing end that terminates with a left tabthat extends rearward, a rear horizontal flat bar with a right rear tabthat extends forward and a left rear tab that extends forward, and aleft spacing clamping element that extends from the forward flat bar tothe rearward horizontal flat bar and a right spacing clamping elementthat extends from the forward flat bar to the rearward flat bar; whereinthe non-rotating multi-magazine clamping manifold is attached to thepair of strong horizontal prongs of the non-rotating strut assembly,where a clamped magazine is loaded into the magazine-well when the firsthorizontal slide rail is positioned in one of the set of z-planeset-points; wherein, when the magazine ejection device is actuated, themagazine in the magazine-well, which is attached to the magazinenon-rotatable multi-magazine manifold is ejected causing thenon-rotating multi-magazine clamping manifold, the strut assembly, andthe first vertical slidable element to drop to their lowest position,and wherein the non-rotatable multi-magazine clamping manifold can beshifted to the next magazine by moving the first horizontal slidableelement to another z-plane set-point, and the next magazine is nowpositioned beneath and in-line with an empty magazine-well, wherein thenext magazine can be shoved into the empty well, which raises thenon-rotatable multi-magazine clamping manifold, the strut assembly, andthe first vertical slidable element and into the upper operationalposition.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 4 further includes a quickrelease slide lock (QRSL) for attaching and detaching a non-rotatingmanifold.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, where in the QRSLcomprises: at least two beveled studs mounted to the forward flat bar ofthe non-rotating multi-magazine clamping manifold, wherein each beveledstud has a diameter and an end that has a relatively high aspect amountof bevel, so that when pushed the stud generates a lateral opening forceto widen an iris-like opening, and each stud has a circular groove thatis adjacent to the perimeter of the bevel; a spring loaded sliding platethat forwardly overlaps a latch base plate, wherein the latch base platehas at least two base plate holes that are slightly larger than thediameter of the beveled studs, and the at least two base plate holes arespaced liked the at least two mounted studs, at least two fasteningholes for attaching the base plate to the ends of at least two prongs onthe non-rotating strut assembly, and at least two headed stemsprojecting from the base plate; wherein the spring loaded sliding platehas at least two elongate holes through which each elongate horizontalhole projects a headed stem that enable the spring loaded sliding platehave limited lateral movement, a lower edge of the spring loaded slidingplate has at least two sections that partially overlap the holes on thebase plate, wherein each partial overlap is a curvilinear section of asmaller diameter semi-circular segment that is contiguous with a largerdiameter semi-circular segment, effecting a partially closed openingwhen the QRSL is in a default position that is locked, where acompression spring is pushing the spring loaded sliding plate outboard,maintaining the default position as locked, where in the defaultposition the smaller diameter semi-circular segments are partiallyoccluding the base plate holes; wherein the non-rotating multi-magazineclamping manifold is connected to the QRSL mounted non-rotating strutwhen the two beveled studs have been aligned with at least two baseplate holes and pressed, causing the spring loaded sliding plate to moveinboard widening the partially closed opening as the larger diametersemi-circular segment of the lower edge moves over the beveled studsuntil each stud has penetrated each opening far enough that the beveledend of each stud is past the spring loaded sliding plate, where upon thespring loaded sliding plate shifts outboard and the smaller diametersemi-circular segment is abutting the circular groove that is adjacentto the perimeter of the bevel, wherein the non-rotating multi-magazineclamping manifold is lockedly connected to the QRSL; and wherein thenon-rotating multi-magazine clamping manifold can be removed by pushingthe spring loaded sliding plate, inboard which fully widens each of theopenings of QRSL, and pulling the mounted beveled studs out, away fromthe base plate of the QRSL.
 7. An apparatus for repeatedly aligning andloading ammunition into a magazine-well of a firearm having a magazineejection device, said apparatus comprising: an adapter comprised of abeam and a set of fastening elements, wherein the adapter provides astrong platform that won't slip even under heavy recoil, wherein theadapter can be mounted onto the firearm forward of the magazine-well; afirst horizontal slide rail with a set of z-plane set-points, whereinthe first horizontal slide rail is mounted orthogonal to the adapter andthe set of z-plane set-points are positions where a magazine ishorizontally aligned with the magazine-well; a first horizontal slidableelement that is supported and guided by the first horizontal slide rail,wherein the first horizontal slidable element has a first horizontalslidable mountable surface that faces rearward toward the magazine-well;a first vertical slide rail, which is a rigid structural member, whereinan end of the first vertical slide rail is mounted on the firsthorizontal slidable element, and an opposing end is terminated with afull-stop element, wherein the vertical slide rail functions as aguiding track to which a carriage can be secured; a first verticalslidable element that is supported and guided by the first verticalslide rail, wherein the first vertical slidable element functions as thecarriage having a low resistance to moving along the first verticalslide rail even when the first vertical slidable element is understress, wherein the first vertical slidable element has a first verticalmountable surface that faces rearward toward the magazine-well; a secondvertical slide rail, which is a rigid structural member, wherein an endof the second vertical slide rail is mounted on the first verticalslidable element with a partial overlap of the first vertical sliderail, wherein the second vertical slide rail functions as a retractableextension of the first vertical slide rail; a second vertical slidableelement that is supported and guided by the second vertical slide rail,where its vertical position on the second vertical slide rail willchange either moving downward when the ejection device is actuated toeject a currently loaded magazine from the magazine-well, or movingupward when a next magazine is shoved into the magazine-well, whereinthe second vertical slidable element has low resistance to moving alongthe second vertical slide rail even when the second vertical slidableelement is under stress, wherein the second vertical slidable elementhas a second mountable surface that faces rearward toward themagazine-well; a non-rotating strut assembly comprised of at least onestrong horizontal prong that are parallel and projecting rearward fromthe second vertical mountable surface; a non-rotating multi-magazinemanifold that can hold at least two high round count magazines in astacked and spaced configuration, wherein the manifold has a clampingmeans; wherein the non-rotating multi-magazine manifold is attached tothe pair of strong horizontal prongs of the non-rotating strut assembly,where one magazine is loaded into the magazine-well when the firsthorizontal slide rail is positioned using the set of z-plane set-points;wherein, when the magazine ejection device is actuated, the magazine inthe magazine-well, which is attached to the magazine non-rotatablemulti-magazine manifold is ejected causing the non-rotatingmulti-magazine manifold, the strut assembly, the second verticalslidable element, the second vertical rail, and the first verticalslidable element all to drop to their lowest position, wherein thenon-rotatable multi-magazine manifold can be shifted to the nextmagazine by moving the first horizontal slidable element to anotherz-plane set-point, and the next magazine is now positioned beneath andin-line with an empty magazine-well, wherein the next magazine can beshoved into the empty well, which raises the non-rotatablemulti-magazine manifold, the strut assembly, the second verticalslidable element, the second vertical slide rail and the first verticalslidable element to their upper operational position.
 8. The apparatusaccording to claim 7, wherein the non-rotating multi-magazine manifoldhas a quick release slide lock (QRSL) for attaching and detaching anon-rotating manifold.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 7, whereineach of the at least two high round count magazines has a round countthat is five or higher.